People talk 8/8/02

Cage plans to sell comic book collection

DALLAS -- Nicolas Cage plans to sell his comic book collection -- including one with the first appearance of Superman -- at the Dallas ComiCon, a collectors' convention Oct. 11-13.

The actor's collection of about 400 comic books includes Action Comics No. 1, Superman's first appearance. The collection also includes comics with the first appearances of well-known characters such as Batman, Captain America and the Green Lantern, said John Petty, director of auctions for Heritage Comics Auctions.

Heritage, of Dallas, will conduct the auction with a Kansas City, Mo., dealer specializing in rare comics.

Petty said Tuesday that the collection could have a seven-figure value.

Cage, 38, won a best-actor Oscar for 1995's "Leaving Las Vegas." He has also starred in "Raising Arizona," "Moonstruck" and "Windtalkers."

"It's not so much that it's a huge collection, it's that Nick collects toward quality. He bought them in really nice condition," Petty said.

Cincy ban on festival seating lifted for Boss

CINCINNATI -- A ban on the festival-seating arrangement that contributed to a fatal 1979 stampede at a Cincinnati arena will be lifted for a Bruce Springsteen concert, officials said.

Springsteen requested that the city reinstate general-admission seating for his Nov. 12 concert at U.S. Bank Arena. Managers of the venue said they were eager to try it anyway to compete with arenas in other cities that allow the arrangement for top acts.

Eleven people were trampled to death Dec. 3, 1979, when fans rushed the doors at the arena -- then known as Riverfront Coliseum -- for a concert by The Who. Cincinnati banned festival seating, allowing reserved seats only, and implemented new crowd control measures.

Cincinnati police gave permission for the variance at the Springsteen concert. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

"They're not a crowd likely to get rowdy and cause trouble," police spokesman Lt. Kurt Byrd said. "He draws a generally well-behaved crowd."

General admission floor seating will represent about 1,800 of the arena's 17,200-seat capacity.

Home of late cosmetics queen Arden up for sale

ROME, Maine -- The former summer home of the late cosmetics queen Elizabeth Arden is for sale for $850,000.

The 15-acre property once was part of Arden's Maine Chance Farms, an elite getaway spot for the rich and famous who would pay up to $1,000 a week. Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, author Edna Ferber and first lady Mamie Eisenhower were among the celebrities who stayed at the spa.

A well-known landmark in central Maine, the property includes a two-story home with eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, and 125 feet of waterfront along Long Pond.

Maine Chance Farms opened its doors in 1934. The property included a farm, stables, a dance hall, a bowling alley, a gala hall and 32 acres of lawns and gardens.

Arden imported hairdressers and masseurs for the spa, but most of her staff -- waiters and waitresses, cooks, gardeners, and chauffeurs -- were from Rome and Mount Vernon.

She died in 1966 at 88. Maine Chance Farms closed in 1970 after two fires over three years.

Evil Knievel Week has success in Butte

BUTTE, Mont. -- Organizers, fans and businesses say last week's inaugural Evel Knievel Week was a success.

Butte is the hometown of the 63-year-old retired daredevil, known for his motorcycle leaps over buses and canyons.

"It's great that a Montanan has reached such greatness," said Shawn Belice of Dillon. "Only a guy from Butte could take a bike and break every bone in his body and get up and do it again. Only a guy from Butte would be that nuts."

The festivities included the opening of an Evel Knievel exhibit at the Picadilly Museum of Transportation Memorabilia, a procession of 300 cars and motorcycles, and a fiery leap by a stuntman from the nine-story Finlen Hotel.

"Overall, we have had great crowds," said Jeff Francis, chairman of the Evel Knievel Week Committee. "And Butte has had a great time. We've laid a great foundation for next year."